Responses to bronchial challenge submitted for approval to use inhaled β₂-agonists before an event at the 2002 winter olympics

Individual values for the decrease in FEV₁ after exercise (n = 40) or EVH (n = 17) in 57 athletes expressed as a percentage of the prechallenge value (percentage decrease in FEV₁). Thirty-six athletes had a decrease in FEV₁ of 10% or greater, the value considered as the cutoff point for a positive response. Nineteen of these 36 were taking inhaled steroids. Of the 21 athletes who had negative results, 12 were taking inhaled steroids.

Individual values for the dose of methacholine (n = 40) or histamine (n = 5) required to provoke a 20% decrease in FEV₁ (PD₂₀ FEV₁) in those athletes with a positive response. Broken lines represent the acceptable values for PD₂₀ for those not taking (lower line) and those taking (upper line) inhaled steroids. The equivalence values for the provoking concentration of agent are also given. Thirty-five subjects submitted PD₂₀ values, and 10 submitted PC₂₀ values.